scholarly journals Ewe Wastage in New Zealand Commercial Flocks: Extent, Timing, Association with Hogget Reproductive Outcomes and BCS

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 779
Author(s):  
Kate J. Flay ◽  
Anne L. Ridler ◽  
Chris W. R. Compton ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Key Management ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Models ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Interval Censored ◽  
Mortality Incidence ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
On Farm

Ewe wastage is the combination of on-farm mortality and premature culling. Internationally, there is limited research on actual wastage incidence and causes in commercial sheep flocks. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that reports both lifetime wastage and detailed annual wastage in a sample of commercial New Zealand flocks. This study utilized data collected from 13,142 ewes from four cohorts on three commercial New Zealand farms (Farm A 2010-born, Farm A 2011-born, Farm B, Farm C), during the period 2011–2017, as they aged from replacement hoggets to 6-year-old ewes (Farm A and Farm B) or 3-year-old ewes (Farm C). Data collection visits occurred at three or four key management times each year, namely pre-mating, pregnancy diagnosis, pre-lambing and weaning. At each visit, body condition score (BCS) was assessed and any ewes that were culled or had died on farm were recorded. As this was a lifetime study, each ewe was assigned an outcome and corresponding ‘exit age’. By the end of the study, all ewes that had exited their respective flocks, were classified as either prematurely culled, or dead/missing, or if still in the flock, as censored, and either the exact date or interval in which they exited the flock was recorded. Semi-parametric competing risk (premature culling vs. dead/missing), interval-censored survival models were developed to: 1. describe the association between hogget reproductive outcomes and risk of subsequent wastage, and 2. assess pre-mating BCS as a predictor of wastage in that production year. Of the 13,142 enrolled ewes, 50.4% exited their respective flocks due to premature culling and 40.0% due to on-farm dead/missing, giving a total of 90.4% that exited due to wastage. Annual mortality incidence ranged from 3.5 to 40.2%. As a hogget, wastage incidence ranged from 7.6 to 45.4%. Pregnancy or rearing a lamb as a hogget did not increase risk of subsequent wastage. In all years, pre-mating BCS was a predictor of ewe wastage, with odds of wastage lower with increasing BCS. Therefore, farmers should focus on improving pre-mating BCS to 3.5/5.0 by assessing ewe BCS at weaning, allowing poorer-BCS ewes to be managed to gain BCS before re-breeding.

scholarly journals TeamMate: A longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Elisabeth Isaksen ◽  
Lori Linney ◽  
Helen Williamson ◽  
Nick J Cave ◽  
Ngaio J Beausoleil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Background Working farm dogs are invaluable on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. To date no study describing farm dog population and health has included information about incidence of illness and injury, or risk factors affecting health and career duration. This paper describes the methodology and initial results from TeamMate, a longitudinal study that was designed to address this gap. We describe the study population, husbandry practices, and prevalence of clinical abnormalities on enrolment. Methods Data about the farms, owners, husbandry practices and dogs were collected on farm at approximately 6-month intervals. All dogs over 18 months old and in full work were enrolled. Dogs were given physical examinations by veterinarians. On examination all abnormalities were noted, regardless of clinical significance. Results Six hundred forty-one working farm dogs and 126 owners were enrolled from the South Island of New Zealand. Forty-nine percent of dogs were Heading dogs (314 of 641) and 48% Huntaways (308 of 641). Median age of dogs was four years (range 1.5 – 14) and median body condition score (BCS) was four on a 9-point scale (interquartile range (IQR) 3 – 5). Fifty-four percent of dogs were male (345 of 641), and 6% (41 of 641) were neutered. Eighty-one percent of owners (102 of 126) fed dogs commercial biscuits and meat sourced on farm. Forty-four percent of dogs (279 of 641) had bedding in their kennel, 14% (55 of 393) had insulated kennels, 69% (442 of 641) had been vaccinated and 33% (213 of 641) were insured. Clinical abnormalities were found in 74% of dogs (475 of 641). Common abnormalities involved the musculoskeletal system (43%, 273 of 641), skin (including scars and callouses; 42%, 272 of 641), and oral cavity (including worn and broken teeth; 35%, 227 of 641). Conclusions Our results expand on those from previous surveys and indicate that musculoskeletal illness and injury, and skin trauma are the most commonly seen clinical abnormalities in working farm dogs. These results will provide a baseline for investigation of incidence and risk factors for illness, injury, retirement and death in New Zealand working farm dogs.

scholarly journals TeamMate: A longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Elisabeth Isaksen ◽  
Lori Linney ◽  
Helen Williamson ◽  
Nick J Cave ◽  
Ngaio J Beausoleil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Background Working farm dogs are invaluable on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. To date no study describing farm dog population and health has included information about incidence of illness and injury, or risk factors affecting health and career duration. This paper describes the methodology and initial results from TeamMate, a longitudinal study that was designed to address this gap. We describe the study population, husbandry practices, and prevalence of clinical abnormalities on enrolment. Methods Data about the farms, owners, husbandry practices and dogs were collected on farm at approximately 6-month intervals. All dogs over 18 months old and in full work were enrolled. Dogs were given physical examinations by veterinarians. On examination all abnormalities were noted, regardless of clinical significance. Results Six hundred forty-one working farm dogs and 126 owners were enrolled from the South Island of New Zealand. Forty-nine percent of dogs were Heading dogs (314 of 641) and 48% Huntaways (308 of 641). Median age of dogs was four years (range 1.5 – 14) and median body condition score (BCS) was four on a 9-point scale (interquartile range (IQR) 3 – 5). Fifty-four percent of dogs were male (345 of 641), and 6% (41 of 641) were neutered. Eighty-one percent of owners (102 of 126) fed dogs commercial biscuits and meat sourced on farm. Forty-four percent of dogs (279 of 641) had bedding in their kennel, 14% (55 of 393) had insulated kennels, 69% (442 of 641) had been vaccinated and 33% (213 of 641) were insured. Clinical abnormalities were found in 74% of dogs (475 of 641). Common abnormalities involved the musculoskeletal system (43%, 273 of 641), skin (including scars and callouses; 42%, 272 of 641), and oral cavity (including worn and broken teeth; 35%, 227 of 641). Conclusions Our results expand on those from previous surveys and indicate that musculoskeletal illness and injury, and skin trauma are the most commonly seen clinical abnormalities in working farm dogs. These results will provide a baseline for investigation of incidence and risk factors for illness, injury, retirement and death in New Zealand working farm dogs.

scholarly journals TeamMate: A longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Elisabeth Isaksen ◽  
Lori Linney ◽  
Helen Williamson ◽  
Nick J Cave ◽  
Ngaio J Beausoleil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Background Working farm dogs are invaluable on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. To date no study describing farm dog population and health has included information about incidence of illness and injury, or risk factors affecting health and career duration. This paper describes the methodology and initial results from TeamMate, a longitudinal study that was designed to address this gap. We describe the study population, husbandry practices, and prevalence of clinical abnormalities on enrolment. Methods Data about the farms, owners, husbandry practices and dogs were collected on farm at approximately 6-month intervals. All dogs over 18 months old and in full work were enrolled. Dogs were given physical examinations by veterinarians. On examination all abnormalities were noted, regardless of clinical significance. Results Six hundred forty-one working farm dogs and 126 owners were enrolled from the South Island of New Zealand. Forty-nine percent of dogs were Heading dogs (314 of 641) and 48% Huntaways (308 of 641). Median age of dogs was four years (range 1.5 – 14) and median body condition score (BCS) was four on a 9-point scale (interquartile range (IQR) 3 – 5). Fifty-four percent of dogs were male (345 of 641), and 6% (41 of 641) were neutered. Eighty-one percent of owners (102 of 126) fed dogs commercial biscuits and meat sourced on farm. Forty-four percent of dogs (279 of 641) had bedding in their kennel, 14% (55 of 393) had insulated kennels, 69% (442 of 641) had been vaccinated and 33% (213 of 641) were insured. Clinical abnormalities were found in 74% of dogs (475 of 641). Common abnormalities involved the musculoskeletal system (43%, 273 of 641), skin (including scars and callouses; 42%, 272 of 641), and oral cavity (including worn and broken teeth; 35%, 227 of 641). Conclusions Our results expand on those from previous surveys and indicate that musculoskeletal illness and injury, and skin trauma are the most commonly seen clinical abnormalities in working farm dogs. These results will provide a baseline for investigation of incidence and risk factors for illness, injury, retirement and death in New Zealand working farm dogs.

scholarly journals 166 The effect of late lactation and pre-breeding nutrition on reproductive outcomes in an accelerated lambing system

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 173-173
Author(s):  
Richard A Ehrhardt ◽  
Jordan Moody ◽  
Barbara Makela ◽  
Veiga-Lopez Almudena
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Embryonic Loss

Abstract Productivity and seasonal constraints in lamb production can be overcome with accelerated systems. Accelerated adoption, however, has been limited by seasonal constraints in reproduction. Preliminary data suggest that periconceptional nutrition affects reproduction in the sub-optimal, long day breeding season. To evaluate this, we randomly assigned prolific, multiparous, Polypay x Dorset ewes at mid-lactation to nutritional treatments (5) over 2 periods: last 30 days of lactation (LACT) followed by the flushing period (FLUSH) consisting of the 21-day pre-breeding and the 34-day breeding period (total 55 days). During LACT, ewes were fed 100% (C), 70% (Low), or 150% (High) of late lactation energy requirements according to lamb rearing status (single or multiple). At FLUSH, Low or High ewes were fed either 70% (Low) or 150% (High) of energy requirements for maintenance (C ewes fed at 100% maintenance during FLUSH). This design was repeated over two seasons: optimal (SHORT day, n = 117) and suboptimal (LONG day, n = 108) breeding periods at 42.73°N and 84.5°W. Ewes were exposed to Dorset rams in 5 pens at 4–5% rotated every 12h. Reproductive outcomes were examined by ultrasound (transabdominal for litter size and conception rate; transrectal for early pregnancy loss). GLM analysis revealed changes in bodyweight and body condition score (BCS) consistent between seasons (Table 1). Regardless of dietary treatment, litter size was higher in SHORT (P < 0.05), while embryonic loss tended to be higher in LONG season (P = 0.08). Within season, treatment had no effect on reproductive outcomes, however prolonged undernutrition (Low-Low) reduced conception rate in LONG vs. SHORT season (100 vs.78%; P < 0.05). These results indicate that 1) high conception rates in LONG are attainable with natural mating and 2) chronic undernutrition hampers conception during long day periods. Finally, traditional flushing protocols are inadequate to invoke an optimal ovulation response regardless of season in accelerated systems.

scholarly journals The Effect of P4 + eCG Estrus Induction Protocol during the Deep and the Transition Anestrous Period on the Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Dairy Goats

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
Francisco G. Véliz-Deras ◽  
César A. Meza-Herrera ◽  
Miguel Mellado ◽  
Viridiana Contreras-Villarreal ◽  
Leticia R. Gaytán-Alemán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Herd Level ◽  
Reproductive Response ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Positive Correlations

Seasonal reproduction restricts the offering of goat commodities across the year. Therefore, it is crucial to improve diverse strategies to induce the reproductive response in goats during the anestrus stage. The effectiveness of a short P4 + eCG-based estrus induction protocol during both the deep anestrous (March) or the reproductive transition period (June) upon the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy goats was assessed. Adult, anestrous, 24–30-month- old dairy crossbred (Saanen–Alpine–Nubian × Criollo) goats (n = 123) from two commercial herds and 10 sexually active goat bucks were used. Before the trials, the anestrous status of goats was confirmed. Then, goats were randomly allocated into two different experiments. In Exp. 1, we tested the effect of different doses (D) of intramuscular progesterone (P4; 10 or 20 mg + eCG (100 UI)) and type of breeding (TB), natural mating (NM), or artificial insemination (AI), on two commercial goat herds (H1 & H2), in March (deep anestrous). In Exp. 2, we evaluated the effect of D (P4; 10 or 20 mg + 100 UI eCG) in goats subjected to NM, and either during deep anestrous (March; M) or transitional anestrous (June; J), in two commercial herds. After breeding, conception and pregnancy were diagnosed with ultrasound scanning. The response variables were estrus induction (EI; %), estrus latency (EL; h), ovulation (OVP; %), ovulation rate (OR; units), fertility (FERT; %), and pregnancy (PREG; %). No differences (p > 0.05) in live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) occurred between herds in both trials. In Exp. 1, EI, EL, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG were affected (p < 0.05) by the H–TB–D interaction, whereas in H1 + P4–20 combination had the highest (p < 0.05) EI, EL, and OVP values. Irrespective of TB, H1 had the largest (p < 0.05) OR, independently of TB or D. Also, the lowest (p < 0.05) OVP occurred in the AI + P4–10 group, while the AI had the lowest (p < 0.05) FERT, irrespective of D. FERT and PREG were two-fold higher (p < 0.05) in NM compared with AI. In Exp. 2, EI, EL, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG were affected (p < 0.05) by the H–M–D interaction. In general, H2 + P4–10 had the lowest (p < 0.05) reproductive outcomes in March, whereas H1 had the largest (p < 0.05) values in either month. No differences (p > 0.05) between P4 doses occurred for EI, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG. Yet, the largest (p < 0.05) EL occurred with P4–20 in June. No correlations (p > 0.05) occurred between LW and all the reproductive variables. BCS was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with EI (0.34), OVP (0.44), OR (0.58), and PREG (0.20). Also, positive correlations (p < 0.05) occurred between EI with EL (0.83), OVP (0.80), OR (0.64), and PREG (0.56); EL with OVP (0.58), OR (0.44), and PREG (0.42); OVP with OR (0.79) and PREG (0.70), as well as OR and PREG (0.63). Results of these studies confirm a multidimensional response regarding the effectiveness of P4 + eCG for estrus induction in goats mainly modulated by a specific time within the anestrous season, or even by specific management or a particular environment at the herd level (H1), although quite remarkably independent of the animal’s LW or BCS at herd level. Moreover, the best reproductive outcomes occurred with NM in June. The most reproductive variables were similar using either 10 or 20 mg P4 + 100 IU eCG, giving the possibility to lessen the scale in the use of exogenous hormones while obtaining acceptable out of season reproductive response.

Body Condition Scoring in Dairy Cows - A Conceptual and Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Paul ◽  
Santu Mondal ◽  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Tripti Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Farm Mechanization ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Score Gain ◽  
Body Condition Scoring ◽  
Good Technique ◽  
On Farm

As herd sizes have increased in the last decades due to commercialization of dairy sector, computer monitoring solutions, which provide fast and accurate evaluation of body condition score, gain more and more importance. The main reasons that discourage the use of traditional BCS estimation techniques are the lack of computerized reports, its subjectivity in the judgment, observational variations and time consuming on farm training of technicians. Moreover, measurement on a cow must be collected every 30 days interval throughout the lactation period to have valuable information for use in selection indices. However, an automated BCS largely diminishes the need for labor, time and training, be less stressful for the animals, increase accuracy and could provide large volumes of data for use in genetic evaluation. The sonography is also good technique to detect depletion of body fat reserve by measuring back fat thickness (BFT) in conjunction with BCS in dairy cattle. In India, BCS monitoring technique is not well adopted due to lack of farm mechanization, awareness and an extra labor charges, can create a burden on farm finances.

Postpartum anovulatory intervals in two genotypes of pasture-fed Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
L.R. McNaughton ◽  
G.A. Verkerk ◽  
T.J. Parkinson ◽  
B. Dow ◽  
K.A. Macdonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Strains ◽  
American Genetic

In pasture-based dairying systems it is important to maintain a 365-day calving interval, which requires that cows have a rapid resumption of postpartum ovulatory activity and high conception rates. The major form of infertility in New Zealand (NZ) dairy cows is an extended postpartum anovulatory interval (ppai; Macmillan, 2002), a problem that can be exacerbated by low body condition score (BCS) at calving (McDougall, 1995). Furthermore, Holstein cows, originating from North American genetic strains (Overseas; OS), which have been widely used in NZ in recent years, have longer intervals to first mating and conceive later than do NZ strains, suggesting a possible delay in the initiation of postpartum cyclicity (Harris and Winkleman, 2000). Worldwide, there is concern over an apparent decline in the fertility of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle (Butler et al., 1995; Royal et al., 2000). The purpose of this trial was to determine whether there was a difference in ppai and BCS between NZ and OS Holstein Friesians that may affect reproductive performance.

Live weight and body condition score of mixed-aged beef breeding cows on commercial hill country farms in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Franziska Weik ◽  
Jason A. Archer ◽  
Steve T. Morris ◽  
Dorian J. Garrick ◽  
Stephen P. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Condition Score
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